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Evaluation ViewAttendees 5

LGBTQ+
Symposia

Symposium 130 - Leveraging community engagement to amplify and affirm SGM voices: Adapting and tailoring research tools and CBT-based clinical interventions to improve health equity

Sunday, November 17, 2024
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM EST
Location: Franklin 8, Level 4, Downtown Marriott
CE: 1

Keywords: Community-Based, LGBTQ+, Evidence-Based Practice
Level of Familiarity: Basic to moderate
Recommended Readings: Alvidrez, J., Castille, D., Laude-Sharp, M., Rosario, A., & Tabor, D. (2019). The National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities Research Framework. American Journal of Public Health, 109(Suppl 1), S16–S20. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2018.304883,   Pachankis, J. E. (2018). The scientific pursuit of sexual and gender minority mental health treatments: Toward evidence-based affirmative practice. American Psychologist, 73(9), 1207–1219. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000357,   Cyril, S., Smith, B. J., Possamai-Inesedy, A., & Renzaho, A. M. N. (2015). Exploring the role of community engagement in improving the health of disadvantaged populations: A systematic review. Global Health Action, 8, 29842. https://doi.org/10.3402/gha.v8.29842,   ,  

Consistent with NIMHD’s minority health disparities framework to promote health equity, research needs to identify and address the intersecting multi-level (e.g., individual, interpersonal, community) and multi-domain (e.g., biological, behavioral, sociocultural environment, healthcare systems) determinants of health among sexual and gender minoritized communities (SGM;NIMHD, 2017). To eliminate the well-documented and stark mental health disparities among SGM communities, psychometric tools and interventions that have been tailored, adapted, or developed for these communities are necessary to achieve health equity.
Robust evidence supports the efficacy of interventions, like CBT, that have been adapted for distinct populations; thus, adapting existing interventions for SGM interventions is likely a viable strategy for mitigating mental health disparities (Pachankis, 2017). Centering SGM voices in the conception of these materials is vital to engage the community and increase uptake and sustained use of tools and interventions (Cyril et al., 2015). Collaborative partnerships and earnest engagement with community members is key in ensuring that our research is truly addressing the needs of SGM communities alongside collaborators and implementing partners.
The work presented in this symposium discusses empirically based research tools and clinical innovations that engaged SGM communities in the conceptualization, operationalization, and utilization of novel methods to address the socio-structural determinants that impact SGM health disparities. Each speaker will present a different stage of the development, adaptation, and testing process. First, Katherine Kabel will present proposed adaptations of an online sexual well-being intervention (eSense+) for transgender women that utilizes cognitive-behavioral strategies, which are based on feedback from a community-based sample. Then, Déjà Clement will present qualitative data on the adaptation of an evidence-informed intervention that aims to address the unique needs of sexual minority women who engage in hazardous drinking. Third, TJ Sullivan will present data on the reliability and validity of a novel measurement of in-session LGBTQ affirmative therapist behavior in a community-based sample. Then, Danielle Berke will discuss an adaptation of a transdiagnostic group behavioral activation/exposure therapy intervention for transgender women at risk for HIV using a modified Delphi method. Finally, Daniel Provenzano will present qualitative data on the application of cognitive processing therapy among sexual minority men. Collectively, this symposium highlights the need for continued methodological innovation driven by meaningful partnership and collaboration with SGM community members, social and behavioral scientists, and practitioners to understand and address SGM health disparities.
Dr. Collen Sloan, an expert in SGM health disparities research and adapted evidence based psychotherapies among SGM communities, will serve as our discussant. Dr. Sloan will discuss ways these findings can inform future adaptations and creations of evidence-based tools while centering community members to promote health equity among SGM individuals.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this session, the learner will be able to:
  1. Describe the development and implementation of community-engaged interventions among populations with and/or vulnerable to HIV.
  2. Identify psycho-social strategies to target the impact of stigma on HIV prevention and care among individuals who use substances.
  3. Identify intervention strategies to improve HIV care among populations in South Africa.
  4. Describe psycho-social risk factors that impact PrEP uptake and HIV care among people who use opioids.
  5. Learn about cognitive behavioral strategies that can be used to support the unique needs of older people with HIV.

Presentations:

  • 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM EST
    (SYM 130)“it Would Be a Program That Is Made for Me and Sees Me”: Adapting an Online, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-based Sexual Wellbeing Intervention for Transgender Women

    Speaker: Katherine E. Kabel, B.S. (she/her/hers) – Boston University

    Co-author: Vella Riley, BA – Boston University

    Co-author: Madison Fertig, MA (she/her/hers) – Boston University

    Co-author: Genesis Valera, BA – The Fenway Institute

    Co-author: Cassie Vuong, BA – The Fenway Institute

    Co-author: Stefania Moldovanu, BA (she/her/hers) – Boston University

    Co-author: Sari Reisner, ScD – University of Michigan

    Co-author: Kyle R. Stephenson, Ph.D. – Xavier University

    Co-author: Lori Brotto, PhD – University of British Columbia

    Co-author: Amelia Stanton, Ph.D. (she/her/hers) – Boston University

  • 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM EST
    (SYM 130) Development of a Community-informed Alcohol Intervention for Sexual Minority Women (Project 4U)

    Speaker: Deja Clement, M.P.H., M.S. (she/her/hers) – Massachusetts General Hospital

    Co-author: Jacklyn D. Foley, Ph.D. (she/her/hers) – Massachusetts General Hospital

    Co-author: Aliza Barnett, MPH (she/they) – The Fenway Institute

    Co-author: Jillian R. Scheer, Ph.D. – Syracuse University

    Co-author: Tonia Poteat, PA-C, MPH, PhD (she/her/hers) – Duke University School of Nursing

    Co-author: Whitney Irie, MSW, PhD (she/her/hers) – Boston College School of Social Work/The Fenway Institute/Harvard Medical School

    Co-author: Michal McDowell, MPH, MD (she/they) – Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School

    Co-author: Abigail W. Batchelder, M.P.H., Ph.D. (she/her/hers) – Boston University School of Medicine & Department of Psychiatry Boston Medical Center

  • 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM EST
    (SYM 130) Measuring In-session Lgbtq-affirmative Therapist Behavior: Development of the LGBTQ Identity Affirmation and Discussion Inventory (LADI) in a Community-based Treatment Sample

    Speaker: Timothy J. Sullivan, Ph.D. (he/him/his) – Yale School of Public Health

    Co-author: Michael Katz, Ph.D. – Long Island University, Post Campus

    Co-author: Kate McMillen, Ph.D. – Kansas State University

    Co-author: Bianca Cersosimo, Ph.D. – Alliant International University, San Diego

    Co-author: Kriti Behari, M.A. – Syracuse University

    Co-author: John E. Pachankis, Ph.D. (he/him/his) – Yale School of Public Health

  • 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM EST
    (SYM 130) A Delphi Method Study to Adapt Behavior Activation/exposure Group Therapy to Address Syndemic Mental Health and HIV Risk Among Transgender Women

    Speaker: Danielle Shea Berke, Ph.D. (she/her/hers) – Hunter College, City University of New York

  • 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM EST
    (SYM 130) Analysis of Impact Statements Among Those with Childhood Sexual Abuse: A Novel Application of Cognitive Processing Therapy with Gay, Bisexual, and Other MSM

    Speaker: Daniel Provenzano, Ph.D. – Nanthi Psychology & Wellness

    Co-author: Michael Boroughs, Ph.D., C.Psych – University of Windsor

    Co-author: Laura Westphal, B.A. – The Fenway Institute

    Co-author: Hannah Albrechta, M.P.H. – The Fenway Institute

    Co-author: Conall O'Cleirigh, Ph.D. (he/him/his) – Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School